Bluetongue Virus Identified in New Jersey Deer

News Item provided by OutdoorHub.com

New Jersey wildlife officials confirmed that the state’s first traces of bluetongue virus have been found on two dead deer. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, the deer were discovered in Somerset and Morris County last month (September 2014) and tested positive for the disease, which is spread by bites from the midge Culicoides imicola. Experts often compare bluetongue disease to the similar epizootic hemorrhagic disease, as both share the same symptoms, affect the same species, and are not considered contagious. Bluetongue, however, has a reputation for causing affected animals to develop foot lesions. In animals like deer, elk, pronghorn, and cattle, it can be extremely painful and eventually causes death. The erratic movements caused by the foot lesions have caused bluetongue to also be known as the “dancing disease.”

“The bluetongue virus is widely distributed in the United States, but has not been previously found in deer in New Jersey,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Dave Chanda. “Both diseases are spread to animals by the bite of a certain type of midge. Neither disease can be transmitted to people. While EHD is only found in deer populations, the bites of the midge can transmit bluetongue to certain types of livestock.”

Mortality is relatively low with bluetongue, although there is no effective treatment for affected wildlife. The incubation period can last anywhere from a week to 20 days and symptoms can involve a high fever, swelling of the lips, and respiratory problems. Since the disease is spread by midges, experts expect that the potential for disease transmission will end when the winter frost kills the insects.

Like EHD, people cannot contract bluetongue through handling infected deer or eating venison. A midge bite will also not give people the disease. However, wildlife officials still advise against touching or eating any deer that appears to be ill.

Local Anglers And Hunters Meet With NDP Leader Adrian Dix

(Previously published in the Merritt Herald - Othmar Vohringer, The Outdoorsman)
 
© By Othmar Vohringer

On Sunday, December 2, 2012, NDP leader Adrian Dix and Fraser-Nicola LMA Harry Lali hosted an election information event at the Tropico Spice restaurant in Merritt. Among the 100 plus people attending was a delegation of the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club (NVF&GC). Harry Lali, who had attended a NVF&GC general meeting in early fall to discuss with us land access and confirming his political support, suggested that meeting Adrian Dix would be helpful to our cause. Rick McCowan, the land access committee chair of the NVF&GC had a chance to meet person to person with Mr. Dix before the event, providing him with the current information and a newly published information leaflet about land access problems here in the valley and across the province.

At the event Adrian Dix spent quite a bit of time at our table talking about the issues we presented to him and he seemed to be as concerned about land access as we are. A good sign!

Since I am not directly involved with the land access committee I must say that I am very impressed with what this small group of dedicated people in our club has achieved so far and all the hard work they put in to creating broad public awareness of the crown land access problem in our province.

While the BC Wildlife Federation, the province’s largest hunter and angler organization, is twiddling its thumbs on the issue our club has gathered immense momentum, attracting national media attention and support from many other organizations throughout our nation. The NVF&GC has without a doubt become the driving force of the land access campaign.

While our fathers and grandfathers could enjoy hunting and fishing without any concerns for the future, times have drastically changed since then. Today we have to become politically active in order to secure our heritage for future generations. Our outdoor sport heritage faces many challenges of which our forefathers wouldn’t dream of in their worst nightmares. Loosing access to public land is only one of these problems. Other problems are instigated from the myriad of popular self-proclaimed “animal welfare” organizations using vilification and misinformation targeted against hunters, and their recruitment of largely ignorant city/suburban peoples to their cause; particularly impressionable youth.

We need to challenge these problems as a united force in public, on the political stage and even in the courts or we stand to lose it all. I am proud to be a member of a small local organization that doesn’t just complain but is on the forefront of fighting for our future generations so they too can enjoy hunting, fishing and accessing lands, lakes and streams for generations to come. If you’re a concerned outdoor sportsperson and want to do your bit to preserve our heritage, rights and freedoms then you should be thinking about joining the Nicola valley Fish & Game Club.

Summit Treestands Recalls Crush Treestand Series

© By Othmar Vohringer

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Summit Treestands, LLC, announced today a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Name of Product:

Crush Treestand Series Models: Perch, Stoop and Ledge hang-on model treestands.

Units affected from this recall: About 2,900

Hazard: The treestand’s hanging strap assembly could dislodge from the treestand or fail to restrain or hold properly on the tree, posing a fall hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Description: The recalled treestands have the following names and item numbers:

Crush Series Perch, number 82069.

Crush Series Stoop, number 82070.

Crush Series Ledge number 82071.

The treestands include the main stand platform and seat with a green cinch strap and a tan tree stand hanging strap assembly, which consists of one nylon strap with a hook and an adjustment portion with a metal buckle and a matching nylon tab and a hook. This hanging strap assembly has the recalled item numbers printed on the safety label attached near the buckle.

The recalled products are old at: Hunting stores and in catalogs such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and others across the U.S.A. and canada from July 2012 through August 2012 for between $70 to $100.

WARNING: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled treestands and contact Summit Treestands to receive a free replacement hanging strap assembly.

Consumer Contact: Summit Treestands, LLC, toll free at (855) 373-9808, anytime or website www.summitstands.com click on the Recall icon for more information.

(Image courtesy of Summit Treestands)

New Cabela’s Store To Open In Tulalip, WA

© By Othmar Vohringer

Cabela’s, The Worlds Foremost Outfitter® for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activity gear has announced the opening of a new store in Tulalip, WA. The opening is scheduled for Thursday, April 19 at 11 am. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is set at 10:45. Outdoor celebrities and other special guests will be present for the opening ceremony and the following weekend-long celebration.

The new store, the second Cabela’s in Washington State, is located within the Quil Ceda Village near Interstate 5 at, take exit 200 on to Quil Ceda Way east.

Cabela's has been my favourite hunting gear outfitter for many years. No matter where I am in North America there is always one of the currently 34 stores across the United States and Canada near by .

PETA Unleashes Misguided Media Assault on D.Trump Sons African Hunt

© By Othmar Vohringer

Once again PeTA and other notorious animal rights groups use the celebrity status of hunters to launch their usual misguided media frenzies against hunters and hunting.

The following news has been supplied to me by US Sportsmen.org

Donald Jr.  and Eric Trump

Have you noted the growing trend in America? Citizens who go legally hunting and find success are finding themselves in the crosshairs of the animal rights lobby including groups such as PETA, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), or other “public opinion police” groups. You have to ask yourself “when did someone put PETA or HSUS in charge of what you do on vacation?” Read on.

When TV personality Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump, went hunting in Africa, they found success. Included among their memory makers were photos of them with a killed elephant and crocodile. They also reportedly killed a kudu and a waterbuck. It’s important to note that none of these species are endangered, and when taken by hunters the local residents obtain an instant source of food and a major economic boost. Hunting actually ensures that villagers value animals such as elephants which often do terrible damage to crops. Donald Trump, Jr. stated that the animals provided needed food in many Africa villages.

Legislation Removing Pennsylvania’s Sunday Hunting Ban Introduced

© By Othmar Vohringer

Finally it happens, just when you think that some U.S. states, and Canadian provinces for that matter, are stuck forever in old laws that where introduced to accommodate the power of the church you get surprised again. A bill introduced by Representative John Evans (R- Edinboro) would remove Pennsylvania’s long standing prohibition on Sunday hunting. The measure, House Bill 1760, will transfer the authority to regulate Sunday hunting from the Legislature to the Game Commission.

Pennsylvania is one of only 11 states that continue to restrict or prohibit hunting on Sundays. Currently, only crows, coyotes and foxes are permitted to be hunted on Sundays in the state. Pennsylvania’s prohibition dates back to 1873 and serves as a barrier to recruiting new hunters and retaining existing hunters.

Limiting hunters to one weekend day afield limits the economic impact that could be realized. According to a National Shooting Sports Foundation study, removing the Sunday hunting restrictions would result in an estimated 8,190 new Pennsylvania jobs paying more than $245 million in wages. It would also generate three-quarters of a billion dollars in economic impact each year for Pennsylvania.

To read the full article and a list of political representatives and read the resolution visit this website.

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This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Hunters Win Major Courtroom Battle Over Hunting on Public Lands

© By Othmar Vohringer

Over the past few years hunters and anglers have won several court battles against the anti hunters and animal rights. It delights me to see that animal rights keep losing more ground and the article below supplied to me by the US Sportsmen’s Alliance is another mayor achievement in our fight to retain our right to hunt.

(Columbus, OH) – The lengthy battle over hunting access on dozens of units of the 100 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge system has ended—and hunters can declare VICTORY! In April 2011, federal Judge James S. Gwin ruled for sportsmen across America by granting summary judgment in favour of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other defendants while denying a lawsuit aimed at closing hunting on National Wildlife Refuge System parcels. After this ruling, an appeal process was opened, and the appeal clock began ticking. On Monday, that appeal period came to an end with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) failing to file any appeal.

“This long sought win is a great victory for hunters everywhere, and reinforces the process of keeping national wildlife refuges open for hunting, by hunters,” said Bill Horn, the US Sportsmen’s Alliance director of federal affairs.

This long-running case began in 2003, when the Fund for Animals, which later merged with the HSUS, filed a lawsuit to stop hunting on 39 refuges. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with other organizations, intervened on behalf of sportsmen. Anti-hunting groups later expanded the lawsuit to nearly 60 refuges. USSAF defended this case for eight years, through many rounds of hard-fought and costly briefing, providing stability in the defence as the U.S. attorneys assigned to the case changed frequently over that time.

Judge Gwin’s April 2011 ruling stopped HSUS' attempt at using the National Environmental Policy Act to close hunting on these refuges. In making the decision, the judge noted that “Plaintiffs, however, are not entitled to an inviolate sanctuary for their preferred uses – Congress has determined that, to the extent possible, hunters, fishers, observers, photographers, and educators must share the refuge.”

Versus Country TV - Shows For Real Hunters Made By Real Hunters

© By Othmar Vohringer

Yesterday I received an email from the good folks at Versus Country, asking me to inform my readers of their new show schedule. As an avid watcher of Versus Country TV I am looking forward to extend my hunting season by watching some of my favourite TV hunting shows. I hope you like them too.

Friday Nights From 8-830PM ET

Remington's The Buck Stops Here With Mike Hanback

Join renowned host Mike Hanback as he pursues monster bucks and gets inside
the lives of like-minded hardcore deer hunters. Mike travels to the far
reaches of the U.S. and Canada hunting huge deer and investigating the
traditions, rituals and tactics used by hunters nationwide to kill the
biggest bucks every year. Mike Hanback has long been one of my favourites and he also writes his own blog at Mike Hanback’s Big Deer

Outdoor Column Is “Top Story”

© By Othmar Vohringer

My regular bi-weekly outdoor column in the Merritt News made “Today’s Top Story”. As an outdoor writer I get great satisfaction form the feedback readers send me or when editors deem one of my articles fit for special recognition. Often these things are as important to a writer as getting paid to write. I would go as far as to say that it is the catalyst that keeps me going and drives me on to become better at my craft.

You can read the full column here.

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This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: Merritt News, Outdoor Column, Today’s Top Story, News, Outdoor Writer

Canadian Outdoors Network Aims for Next Long-Gun Registry Debate

(BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) Press Release, October 27,2010)

The Canadian Outdoors Network says Parliament’s decision to keep the long gun registry will not end the national debate on firearm ownership.

“This is just one battle in a long war,” says Dr. Robert Bailey, Chair and National Coordinator of the Canadian Outdoors Network, the country’s largest coalition of outdoors organizations. “This is about competing visions driven by differing ideologies. For us, the fight is about preserving our hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting lifestyle.”

Members of Parliament narrowly defeated a Private Members Bill September 22nd to scrap the registry---153 votes to 151. The vote followed weeks of intense political maneuvering by the federal Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties.

Bailey says the debate over the registry has polarized two very different parts of Canada; the urban majority, desperately looking for a solution to gun violence, and a rural minority where long guns play an important role in a way of life.

“There are tremendous implications for the future of our rural culture,” says Bailey, who is also Delta Waterfowl’s Vice President of Policy. “The registry paints legitimate gun owners as people who are inherently a threat or a risk to society and that’s simply not the case.”

Bailey says the Outdoors Network, representing 500,000 outdoors enthusiasts from 28 organizations, will continue its campaign to scrap a program plagued by cost overruns and controversy. Since 1995, the registry has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion with no demonstrated reduction in gun crime.

“If public safety was the primary objective, the current national debate would be about crime control, not gun control,” says Bailey. “It’s time we refocused these funds, and our efforts, on more appropriate programs that actually target crime, such as the smuggling of illegal firearms.”

Bailey says the divisive registry debate underlines a lack of tolerance for a lifestyle largely misunderstood in urban centres. Hunting, he says, is about more than taking the life of an animal. It’s about better connecting with nature, appreciating what it offers and helping make sure it’s there for the future. He believes attacks on legitimate gun owners demonstrate a lack of tolerance that is “un-Canadian”.

“Any barriers we put to this lifestyle is not serving nature and wildlife conservation well. The gun registry is certainly a barrier which is unnecessary. It should be removed.”

The Outdoors Network will continue to push for change as the country prepares for an anticipated federal election. The Network plans to target ridings where opposition MP’s first voted to abolish the registry, then changed their minds.

“It’s important that these MP’s know exactly what they’ve done,” says Bailey. “They were elected on promises to get rid of the registry, then flip-flopped for political reasons. They let their constituents down, and they have to be held accountable.”

The Outdoors Network was created in 2007. With network participants, it has successfully lobbied to protect the Canadian Wildlife Service, maintain duck stamp revenues for waterfowl habitat, and to support changes to achieve greater protection for animals under federal animal cruelty legislation, while maintaining the legal basis for hunting, fishing, trapping and farming.

CANADIAN OUTDOORS NETWORK:

Alberta Fish and Game Association
Alberta Outdoors Coalition
BC Wildlife Federation
BCWF Political Action Alliance
Canadian Institute for Legislative Action
Canadian Section of the Wildlife Society
Canadian Shooting Sports Association
Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Fédération Québecoise des Chasseurs et Pecheurs
Fur Institute of Canada
Friends of Fur
Hunting for Tomorrow Foundation
Long Point Waterfowl
Manitoba Wildlife Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation
New Brunswick Wildlife Federation
Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation
Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance
Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Prince Edward Island Chapter Delta Waterfowl
Prince Edward Island Trappers Association
Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
Yukon Fish and Game Association
Wildlife Habitat Canada

Hunt Club Subs N Grill Franchise Opens In Jacksonville, Florida

© By Othmar Vohringer

I know the following press release is a bit late but when I came across it on the Internet I found the idea so neat that I thought I had to share it with my readers.

Hunt Club Subs N Grill, a new outdoor themed quick service restaurant franchise, opened its first restaurant on Jacksonville, Florida’s southside on March 1st.

Located at 6426 Bowden Road, the rustic style restaurant, featuring a hunting/fishing cabin décor with a fireplace, wooden floors and video screens with outdoor and sports programming, offers a selection of hamburgers, sub sandwiches, hot dogs and beer, in addition to a breakfast menu.

The franchise concept is the first store for the husband and wife ownership team of Bo and Violet Lawrence. Bo Lawrence has over 15 years experience in developing and owning several nationally known fast casual food franchise operations in Northeast Florida. Violet Lawrence has a background in advertising/marketing for national companies in Chicago and Atlanta.

“Hunting, fishing and sitting around the hunt camp has been a part of my whole life,” Lawrence explained. “So I wanted to create a local place where the whole family can come and enjoy great food and share their outdoor experiences with friends and neighbors.” The tables throughout the restaurant display photos of hunting trips, trophies and catches from friends and families in the Jacksonville area.

The signature menu items include a section called “Wallhangers,” an oversized serving of hamburgers, subs and hotdogs. And the signature side is Redneck Fries named for its special Redneck pepper. All hamburgers are made from fresh 100% Certified Angus beef instead of frozen beef patties.

“I believe we have a great concept for building a new business, particularly in today’s tough economy,” Lawrence said. Two more franchises in Northeast Florida are currently in the works. “Our goal is to have 25 – 30 stores throughout the Northeast Florida region,” Lawrence said.

In addition to developing the concept into a profitable business, Lawrence plans on using the franchises to help support local and national outdoor conservation groups.

The Hunt Club will have a grand opening celebration on March 13th with specials and prizes for customers. Captain Kevin Favor, Jeff Lageman and Captain Kirk Waltz of The Outdoor Show from Radio 1010XL will broadcast live at the restaurant from 7 – 10 AM. A 2-night/3 day turkey hunt trip with Captain Favor (filmed for a TV show) will be given away as the grand prize.

The restaurant is open 7 AM – 9 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM – 9 PM on Saturdays. For more information, contact info@huntclubsubsngrill.com.

There is a website for Hunt Club Subs N Grill that is still not fully set up but nonetheless worth to have a look at.

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.


Tags: Hunt Club Subs N Grill, Restaurant Franchise, Jacksonville, Florida

My Own Outdoor Column

© By Othmar Vohringer

After weeks of negotiations I am finally contracted to write my own by-weekly outdoor column for our local newspaper, the Merritt News. Merritt, our hometown, is a small city with a population of 8’000 surrounded by cattle ranches and logging industry. I guess it would be a fair estimate to say that about 60% of the people living in Merritt are either hunters and anglers, or know somebody that a hunter or angler. This should come as no surprise to those that know that Merritt is situated smack in the middle of some of the best hunting and fishing British Columbia has to offer. To give you some indication how good it is here for outdoors people Merritt is not only known as “The Country Music Capital of Canada” but also uses “Fish A Lake A Day For As Long AS You Stay”.

It was always my conviction that the Merritt hunting and fishing community would appreciate a newspaper column just for them. After doing a bit or my own research on the subject I found out that indeed hunters and anglers would welcome reading in the newspaper about news, tips and opinions pertaining to their interest.

Well, as from next week this wish will be granted to the local outdoors community. Since my column might interest other readers , not from Merritt and the Nicola Valley, too I have decided to post my by-weekly column on my dormant blog My Stand. For this occasion the blog will get a facelift but the title “My Stand” will remain. I chose that title because it relates to hunting, as in hunting stand, but also to where I stand on certain issues surrounding hunting and fishing. A week after the column has been published in the newspaper it will be posted on “My Stand”.

I hope you all look forward to read my column as much as I look forward to write it for you.

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: Merritt BC, Outdoor Newspaper Column, Merritt News

Youth Outdoor Participation Declines

© By Othmar Vohringer

According to a new outdoor recreation activity survey released by “The Outdoor Foundation®” youth participation in outdoor activity is in decline following a promising growth in participation in 2008.

The survey included 114 different outdoor activities capturing responses from over 40,000 youth aged six and older. This was the largest survey ever done on youth outdoor activity participation. According to the survey some reasons for the drop are the beginning of adjustments in American lifestyles brought about by a challenging economy, shifting demographics and changing times.

Youth, so the surveys finds, spend more time indoors. The outdoor participation of youth aged 6 to 17 dropped 16.7 percent. The biggest drop was noted among the youngest ( 6 to 12 ) that fell a staggering nine percent. There is a wide gap between ethnic groups in the outdoor participation. Caucasians are more active in the outdoors than any other ethnic groups while African Americans are the lowest ranking.


The report of the survey is critical for the Outdoor Foundation’s development of strategies to promote outdoor activity and get youth.
Among the long list of activities that are loosing favour with youth is hunting. Hunting shows the biggest loss and that to me is troubling.

For years hunting is loosing participants. This is due in part to the baby boomers retiring and not enough youth entering. While we have been very successful at recruiting women, the largest growing hunting segment into our ranks we’re still loosing more hunters than we gain.

To be perfectly frank, if hunters were an animal species we would be on the endangered species list. Organizations would organize fundraisers on our behalf and the governments would implement laws for our protection. Since we’re not an animal species we have to think of ways to attract more new and young hunters. Since, as the survey shows, young people spend more time indoors and on the computers we, the outdoor bloggers, may be able to reach these young people via the computer screen.

How about writing about a young hunter, highlighting the fun and excitement hunting can be for the novice and the guide? It is common for a hunter to bring his or her children into hunting. What about the children or adults that do not have hunter parents, friends or relatives? From personal experience I know that there are a fairly large number of youth and adults that would like to become hunters if they only could find someone that shows then how to get started or is available with advice when needed.

If we want to recruit more hunters we need to think outside the box and beyond our immediate family. Extend the recruitment of hunters to your friends at work and to those of your children. Write about the experiences on your blogs. If young people read about other youth, through your blogs, they might give hunting serious consideration. How well that can work became clear to me a few weeks ago. A young man contacted me after reading through my blog and asked me advice on hunting. We began to communicate by phone and email for several weeks and the other day I got a phone call from that young man telling me that he just shot a big ten-point buck. (The full story of that event will soon be posted on my Whitetail Deer Passion blog.)

This young man was a novice hunter with no hunting background in his family so he could not ask his parents, siblings or relatives for advice on how to hunt. But what really disturbed me was the fact that even fellow hunters seemed to have no time for him when he approached them. Finally, before giving up hunting, he thought that he would take a chance and phone me, a complete stranger, because he read on my blog about my dedication to helping new hunters. The young hunter made his mind up that if I would turn him down too he would give up hunting. But because I blogged about the importance of helping new hunters we gained a hunter.

It doesn’t matter what outdoors activity niche you cover with your blog because the blog can function as a tool to recruit young people back into the outdoors. Show the youth through your words that the outdoors is a great place to have fun, excitement and thrills and it is also a place to celebrate their achievements.

For more information on my efforts to promote hunting to young and new generation of hunters visit my website. Othmar Vohringer Outdoors


Tags: Youth Outdoor Participation in Decline, The Outdoor Foundation, Promoting Hunting

Maine Trappers 1 - Animal Rights 0

© By Othmar Vohringer

Today I received a press release from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation that I would like to share with my readers. Ones again sportsmen and the supporting organizations have proven that when we stick together and argue with facts we win against animal rights. Read on!

Trappers in Maine won a major victory as the state’s Federal District Court upheld the state’s trapping practices and blocked the establishment of a precedent that could be used by anti-hunting and anti-trapping groups nationwide.
In 2008, the Animal Welfare Institute and the Wildlife Alliance of Maine filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) seeking a permanent injunction that would have essentially prohibited trapping in the state. The lawsuit claimed that Maine’s trapping regulations violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because Canada lynx, a threatened species under the ESA, could be incidentally caught in traps causing “irreparable harm” to the population.

Throughout the case, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with the Maine Trappers’ Association, Fur Takers of America, National Trappers’ Association , and several individual sportsmen, argued that the anti-trapping plaintiffs had to show that Maine’s trapping practices were a threat to the Canada lynx population as a whole. The plaintiffs insisted that harm to one individual lynx was sufficient for the Court to prohibit trapping in the state.

On November 10th, Federal District Court Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. ruled that Maine’s trapping practices did not irreparably harm the Canada lynx and denied the injunction sought by the anti-trappers. Further, the Judge agreed with the state and the USSAF that “irreparable harm” is harm to a species as a whole and not simply one individual member.

“Although the plaintiffs may appeal the ruling, the Federal Court’s decision is a monumental victory for the trappers in Maine and sets an excellent precedent that will make it harder for the antis to misuse the ESA in their attempts to ban hunting and trapping in other states,” states USSAF Vice President for Government Affairs Rob Sexton.

“We knew the evidence was on our side and are thrilled with outcome,” said Skip Trask, executive director of the Maine Trappers Association. “The USSAF’s legal assistance was invaluable to the favorable outcome.”

Read full article here.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Maine Trappers, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Trappers Win Court Case Against Anti Hunters, Press Release,

Othmar Vohringer Joins ASAT Camo® Pro-Staff Team

- For immediate release -

Merritt, September 24, 2009

Merritt, British Columbia, Canada – Othmar Vohringer announced today that he joined the Pro-Staff team of ASAT Camo®. Othmar said “I have been a ASAT camouflage user for many years. What convinced me about ASAT is the fact that it is one of the few camouflage patterns designed using animal vision science. After researching many different camouflage patterns in my own field tests I came to the researched conclusion that ASAT indeed is the choice of smart hunters.”

Highly respected by his peers, Othmar’s accomplishments as an outdoor writer, seminar speaker and hunting promoter will add to the reputation of ASAT Camo. “I am pleased to support ASAT any which way I can. As a convinced ASAT user I have the dedication and believability needed to promote the product convincingly.” Othmar said.

About ASAT
By the time ASAT Camo began back in 1986, Jim Barnhart and hunting buddy Stan Starr Jr. had already come to some definite conclusions about how hunting camouflage should look. The two did not start out to get into the camo business -- ASAT (All Season All Terrain) camo was developed after almost twenty years of exhaustive research in all parts of North America, in all four seasons of the year.

Stan and Jim believed that a lot of camo available at the time had been designed like fishing lures - to catch the hunter rather than help catch the quarry. They knew that just because a pattern looks good in a store or in a small isolated field situation, it doesn't mean that it will work well under all conditions and at all times of the year. What Stan and Jim ultimately decided to do was develop a camo pattern that would be good at all times, in any environment, to fool any game animal or bird. It was a tall order, but the pair felt that they had succeeded with ASAT. Obviously, many hunters felt and still feel, the very same way.

Today, over 20 years later the same pattern continues to turn hunter's heads, with it's light khaki tan background and contrasting, curved striped shapes. Hunters wearing ASAT realize they have effective camo for virtually all conditions - from bright direct sunlight - to the low light of early morning/late evening - to cloudy overcast days and most every hunting condition in between.

Whether you are attempting to hide in rocks, trees, limbs, bushes, leaf edges and more, ASAT continues to deliver - with a promise. We at ASAT are so confident in our camouflage that we are offering an impressive guarantee: If any customer wears ASAT exclusively for one year and doesn't see more game than they ever have wearing anything else, we will buy your garment back. More information about ASAT is available at:
www.asatcamo.com

About Othmar Vohringer
Life long hunter using bow, crossbow, rifle and muzzleloader in the pursuit of his favorite game animals, the whitetail deer and wild turkey, conservationist, outdoor writer, seminar speaker and registered hunter education instructor of British Columbia, Othmar has spent a lifetime promoting hunting and recruiting young and new hunters. More information about Othmar is available at:
www.othmarvohringer.com

Court Asked To Censor Hunting and Fishing Imagery?

© By Othmar Vohringer

Once again the US government tries with the help of the courts to censor our right of expression. This is important to all outdoor writers, photographers, hunting video producers, and hunting, and fishing blog/website owners. If the following case is decided against us we’re doomed. Please take note and act today.

Press release from POMA

JOHNSTOWN, PA. - The Professional Outdoor Media Association, a professional organization of traditional outdoor sports journalists and hunting and fishing industry professionals and organizations will participate in an audio news briefing today, September 24 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

POMA will discuss a case in which the government is asking the Supreme Court for the power to censor hunting and fishing imagery, creating a new exception to the First Amendment for the first time in 25 years.
At issue in U.S. v. Stevens, No. 08-769, is a 1999 federal law that makes it a crime to create, sell or possess videos and other depictions of cruelty to animals. The case arose over the conviction of a Virginia man, Robert Stevens, who received a three-year prison sentence from a Pennsylvania court for selling videos that included scenes of hunting with dogs. The Justices will hear arguments in the case on Tuesday, October 6.
In addition to working with the Washington, D.C., Jones Day Law Firm to file a brief on behalf of its members, Laurie Lee Dovey, POMA's executive director, coordinated a larger group of amici from a wide range of constituencies.

The American Society of Media Photographers, North American Nature Photographers, Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, Texas Outdoor Writers Association and more than 600 individual journalists, outdoor industry professionals and sportsmen joined POMA's brief.

POMA members, such as the National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and others filed individual briefs on behalf of their members.
The speakers at the audio news conference are:

David Horowitz, Executive Director, Media Coalition
Laurie Lee Dovey, Executive Director, Professional Outdoor Media Association
Joan Bertin, Executive Director, National Coalition Against Censorship
Chris Finan, President, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression
Doug Burdin, Litigation Counsel, Safari Club International

Read more.


Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Roger Raglin – All new programming on the Pursuit Channel for 2010

Roger Raglin, respectfully referred as “America’s Whitetail Deer Hunter” has long been one of my favorite hunting celebrities with his patented “Jiminy Christmas” and so it is with joy that I provide to you the following media release.

LUVERNE, Ala. - The Pursuit Channel proudly announces the addition of award-winning outdoor TV producer Roger Raglin to the 2010 lineup.

An over 20-year veteran of outdoors television, Raglin will be bringing a brand new hunting show to Pursuit. "My goal is to produce a show that's entertaining, informative and easy to watch," said Raglin. "I think the Pursuit Channel is lining up the right folks to make this network a network sportsmen can't wait to watch. With the addition of Mossy Oak, Hank Parker, Keith Warren, and others, I'm thrilled they've invited me to join this elite group of outdoor giants."

Pursuit has recently welcomed a wealth of leading producers to a dramatically upgraded 2010 lineup. Mossy Oak recently announced its commitment of resources to branded, destination blocks of programming, anchored by their award-winning, popular programs. Leading producers including Hank Parker, Keith Warren, the NWTF, QDMA and many others have also committed to Pursuit.

Rusty Faulk, CEO of Pursuit network said, "We couldn't be more excited to have Roger join the Pursuit team. Not only is he an outdoor icon he also brings good wholesome entertainment that the entire family can watch, ethical and safe hunting practices and professional production value. He'll be a great fit here."

"Roger has been in outdoor television longer than me, and that's really saying something," said Ronnie "Cuz" Strickland with Mossy Oak Productions. "I'm anxious to see what he is going to deliver to Pursuit next year. I'm just excited to see all these great producers joining us on the Pursuit Channel, a network that is producer friendly and focused on 100-percent hunting and fishing programming."

Look for Roger Raglin's new show 3rd quarter of 2010. For information on how you can get Pursuit Channel in your home, call 334-335-6926 or go online to www.pursuitchannel.com.

Roger Raglin Website
Pursuit Channel


Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Roger Raglin, America’s Whitetail Deer Hunter, Pursuit Channel, Television Hunting Show

A life lived for the outdoors

© By Othmar Vohringer

With sadness I report today the passing of Frank (Len) Rich, one of Canada’s most active outdoor enthusiasts and conservationist. Unfortunately, I was not able to get to know Len all that well before he passed away. Before I joined the Outdoor Writers of Canada (OWC) we exchanged a few emails and a couple of phone calls. It had been his enthusiasm about everything to do with fishing, the outdoors and writing, plus his tireless commitment to recruiting new outdoor writers that made me join the OWC.

Below I copied the official obituary released by the OWC. My heartfelt condolences go to Lens family and many friends in the outdoor community to whom he has given so richly and never asked for anything in return. The legacy he left behind will be carried on in his memory. May you rest in peace Len.

OBITUARY Len Rich 1938-2009

We regret to announce the death of Leonard Frank (Len) Rich on April 13, 2009, in North Bay, ON following a brief courageous battle with cancer. He was 71.

Len was born and raised in the small Upstate New York town of Whitehall. After eight years of US military service he settled in Newfoundland in 1966. His careers spanned more than four decades, from sales rep and sales manager to automotive dealer and entrepreneur in the field of tourism.

His greatest passions were fly fishing and writing and as a columnist, author and advocate for responsible stewardship he left a profound legacy, touching the lives of many throughout the writing and fly fishing worlds.

Len discovered and later developed a fly-in sportfishing lodge in Labrador he named Awesome Lake Lodge. He operated that business for 10 years before semi-retirement.

He authored several books, including Newfoundland Salmon Flies and how to tie them, Best of In The Woods, Fly Fishing Tips and Tactics, Rivers and Woods, So you want to be an outfitter, Memoirs of a fly fisher, Tales of Christmas (Editor), and his latest Bill Bennett: Pioneer Bush Pilot and Outfitter. He also wrote hundreds of magazine articles for various national and International publications.

During his careers he was employed by the Newfoundland government as Hunting & Fishing Development Officer and by the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) as manager of Special Events. Len was also employed by Corona College in Grand Falls-Windsor as Director of Communications and Tourism Training. He and his late wife Ruby developed and operated businesses in Clarenville, NL, known as Whitehall Country Inn and The Grapevine. He was predeceased by Ruby in 2004.

He served three terms as President of the Labrador Outfitters Association and three terms as Eastern Director of the Outdoor Writers of Canada (OWC). An award winning writer, he was recognized by the New England Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers of Canada for his books and articles and in 1991 received the coveted Canada Recreational Fisheries Award for “writing that influenced a generation of recreational fishers.” In 2007 he was selected to receive the OWC’s Jack Davis Mentorship Award for his work with up and coming writers. He led the OWC Mentorship Program and for a decade he hosted the Creative Writing forum on the Sympatico Internet site.

Throughout his adult life he made Newfoundland his home, but recently lived in Orangeville and North Bay, sharing his life and love with his partner Susan Buckle. He is survived by brothers Wayne, Shrewsbury, Vermont; Keith, Hoosick, NY; sister Dawn in Massachusetts; Susan and her children Cameron and Lianne Honeyborne; sons Len Jr. (Chantel) of Lewisporte, NL and Ken of Summerside, NL; daughters Lori (Tony) of Fort Nelson, BC, and Tammy of Summerside, NL; stepson Tony Blackmore and stepdaughter Roxane Bailey (Chris) of St. John’s, NL; and grandchildren Cassidy, Alicia, Evan, Tyson, Tyler, Mallory, Morgan, Rebecca, Daniel, Kennedy, and Andrew.

Funeral will be held in Clarenville, NL Saturday April 25 at Fewers Funeral Home, Clarenville. 709-467-2468. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Margaree Salmon Museum, NS. Margaree Centre, NS B0E 1Z0 or the charity of your choice.

Images courtesy of Outdoor Writers of Canada.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Call to Ban Lead Ammunition

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Press Release

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Opposes Extremist Call to Ban Lead Ammunition

(Columbus, Ohio) – The United States Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) emphatically opposes the anti-hunters’ recent call for a nationwide ban on lead ammunition. Such a statement is an extreme policy proposal that is not supported by the facts.

On November 10, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) issued its call for the lead ammunition ban after the release of a report from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that had been conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It reported on the possible dangers of consuming wild game harvested by lead ammunition.

The report found that while the levels of lead in the blood of those tested who were frequent consumers of wild game taken with traditional, lead ammunition appeared to be somewhat higher than those not consuming wild game; none had levels approaching those that would be of concern to the CDC. In fact, in its own press releases, NDDoH indicated food pantries could continue accepting venison, provided the meat was appropriately processed.

USSA Senior Vice President Rick Story states, “HSUS should stop hyperventilating and actually read the report since it makes clear that the average level of lead in the people tested is actually lower than the level of the average American. That fact completely undermines its call for banning traditional ammo.

Story continued, “It should come as no surprise that America’s leading opponent of hunting, fishing and trapping has mischaracterized the findings of the CDC report. It will resort to any means necessary to deny the rights of sportsmen.”
While portraying its call for a lead ban as not being “anti-hunting,” HSUS’ track record makes clear that its true goal is to outlaw all hunting, trapping and even fishing. One way of accomplishing this is to push sportsmen towards higher cost products that will limit how much ammunition they purchase and the number of times they are able to participate in their sport.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org

Tags: Lead Ban, Lead Bullets, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Anti Hunters, Hunting Politics

PETA Calls for “Under-18” Hunting Ban

Ones again the notorious PETA, in their usual fashion, exploit a hunter tragedy shamelessly to further their own political agenda. Painting all hunters with broad brushstrokes as potential criminals, killing animals and humans for fun. We need to stop these hateful attempts to discriminate against millions of law-abiding people by taking action. Please read the following press release and take a minute or two to contact the Governor of Arizona with your take on youth hunting and the importance the young generation has in our hunting community and the future of our cherished heritage.

(U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Press Release)

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) decries the most recent effort of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to ban hunting in Arizona.
On November 11, PETA sent a letter to the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, urging support of legislation that would ban hunting by anyone younger than 18.
PETA is attempting to exploit recent November 5 news coverage of a tragedy in which an eight year-old boy allegedly shot and killed his father, Vincent Romero, and Timothy Romans with a .22-caliber rifle. The organization claims that the violent act was fomented by a recent family prairie dog hunting trip.
PETA told Gov. Napolitano that hunting teaches “children to see others as nothing more than living targets.”
“PETA always uses the most distasteful tactics to make headlines. In this case it is exploiting a tragic situation to advance its anti-hunting agenda,” said USSA Executive Vice President Rick Story.
“There is no reason to believe that banning hunting for youth would have prevented this act”, Story said. “A ban on hunting for those under 18 will prohibit thousands of law abiding, responsible sportsmen and their children from engaging in a time honored tradition”, he said.

To learn more about the USSA and how you can support this fine organization visit the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Website

To write a letter or email in support of youth hunting visit the website of Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano

Tags: PETA, Youth Hunting Ban